Dianthus plant named ‘KLEDG13160’

ABSTRACT

A new  Dianthus  plant particularly distinguished by having single, red bicolored flowers, a compact growth habit, and strong branching, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Dianthus sp.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEDG13160’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Dianthus, botanically known as Dianthus sp. and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEDG13160’. ‘KLEDG13160’ is a selection that results from a cross pollination of the proprietary female dianthus line ‘DSS 2008 0052’ (unpatented) and the male dianthus line ‘KLEDG13146’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,877).

In June of 2009 the proprietary female dianthus line ‘DSS 2008 0052’ and the male dianthus line ‘KLEDG13146’ were cross pollinated in Stuttgart, Germany and seeds were obtained. The seeds were sown and plants were grown for evaluation. A plant line was selected in June 2010 in Stuttgart, Germany, and named ‘KLEDG13160’. In June 2010, ‘KLEDG13160’ was first vegetatively propagated by vegetative stem cuttings. ‘KLEDG13160’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Single, red bicolored flowers;     -   2. Compact growth habit; and     -   3. Strong branching.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Plant Breeder's Rights for ‘KLEDG13160’ were applied for in in Europe with the Community Plant Variety Office on Jul. 1, 2013, application number 2013/1809. ‘KLEDG13160’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Dianthus plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows an overall view of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The plant is about 4 to 5 months-old grown indoors in Stuttgart, Germany in April 2011.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEDG13160’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. Data was collected on four month-old plants grown in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany in March 2014. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5th edition (2007).

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Caryophyllaceae.         -   Species.—Dianthus sp.         -   Common name.—Garden carnation.         -   Variety.—‘KLEDG13160’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female.—The proprietary dianthus ‘DSS 2008 0052’.         -   Male.—The dianthus ‘KLEDG13146’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.             25,877). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative stem cuttings.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—20 days.         -   Root description.—White, well-branched, fine.         -   Rooting habit.—Lanceolate. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form.—Potted plant, upright, bushy, compact.         -   Plant height.—9.0 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—15.0 cm. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Length.—5.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—2.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—0.5 cm to 2.0 cm.         -   Internode number.—3 to 5.         -   Internode thickness.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm.         -   Node length.—0.3 cm.         -   Node diameter.—0.3 cm.         -   Stem.—Solid.         -   Stem shape.—Round.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS N138B. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Length.—4.0 cm.         -   Width.—0.4 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth.         -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.         -   Color.—Immature and mature leaves: Upper surface: RHS N138A.             Lower surface: RHS N138B. Venation: RHS N138D. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single, round.         -   Fragrance.—Present.         -   Natural flowering season.—Spring to Fall.         -   Flower longevity.—Medium, 4 to 6 days.         -   Position of flowers relative to foliage.—Slightly above.         -   Flower buds.—Length: 1.2 cm. Diameter: 0.7 cm. Shape: Ovate.             Color: Mixed, RHS 183C and RHS 137C. Extrusions of the style             at bud stage: Absent.         -   Corolla.—Quantity of petals/arrangement: 5, radial. Corolla             height: 1.0 cm. Petal length: 3.0 cm. Petal width: 1.8 cm.             Petal shape: V-shaped. Petal apex: Obtuse. Petal base:             Cuspidate. Petal margin: Slightly serrate; depth of margin             very shallow. Petal texture: Upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth. Petal color: Immature: Upper surface: RHS 59A to RHS             59C. Lower surface: RHS 64A. Mature: Upper surface: RHS 59A             at the center and base with RHS 53C towards the edge. Lower             surface: RHS 64C to RHS 64D.         -   Calyx.—Quantity of sepals/arrangement: 5, single. Calyx             height: 1.3 cm. Calyx diameter, at the apex: 0.6 cm. Calyx             shape: Cylindrical. Sepal apex shape: Cylindrical.         -   Sepal texture.—Upper and lower surfaces: Smooth. Sepal             color: Upper surface: RHS 187B and RHS 137C. Lower surface:             RHS 137B.         -   Epicalyx.—Position: Adpressed. Average length: 0.7 cm.             Average width: 0.6 cm. Color: RHS 177A and RHS 136B. Apex             shape: Obtuse. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—7.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm.         -   Strength.—Moderate to strong.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS N138D. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: Moderate to sparse. Filament length:             1.0 cm. Filament color: RHS 59A. Anther length: 0.2 cm.             Anther diameter: 0.08 cm. Anther color: RHS 84D. Pollen             amount: Moderate to sparse.         -   Pistils.—Quantity: 2. Pistil length: 1.6 cm. Style quantity             per pistil: 2. Style shoulder: Absent. Style length: 0.1 cm.             Style color: RHS 73D. Stigma shape: Filamentous. Stigma             color: RHS 59A. Ovary size: 0.4 cm. Ovary shape: Ovate.             Ovary color: Younger flowers are RHS 139D, mature flowers             are RHS144C. Ovary texture: Smooth. Fruits/seeds: None             observed to date. -   Disease and insect/pest resistance: No special observations were     made.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘KLEDG13160’ is a distinct variety of dianthus. ‘KLEDG13160’ is distinguished from its parents as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Variety Female parent Male Parent Trait ‘KLEDG13160’ ‘DSS 2008 0052’ ‘KLEDG13146’ Flower type Single Double Double Growth Compact Medium to small Medium Branching Strong Less Very strong

‘KLEDG13160’ is most similar to the commercial dianthus plant named ‘KLEDG11143’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,150), commercially known as Everlast ‘Burgundy Blush’. Differences between the two varieties are described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Variety Commercial line Trait ‘KLEDG13160’ ‘KLEDG11143’ Flower type Single Double Earliness Medium Medium to late Branching Strong Medium 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dianthus plant named ‘KLEDG13160’ as illustrated and described herein. 